Two Unusual Cats

Are you considering a new cat for the house? Great! If you are a cat lover, you might want to look at a purebred cat. There are numerous breeds that may be found in this country, each with its own distinguishing appearance, disposition and history. Consider carefully what characteristics you'd like to see in your new furry friend. Maybe you would like to look at something a little bit different:

The Munchkin

Short Haired Munchkin by Terri Harris

When you think about the Munchkin, think of a cat that has the build of a dachshund. A cat built like this has a long body and short legs. Munchkins are a breed very recently developed. They've only been around since 1983. The original cat was a female named Blackberry. She was rescued from dogs by a school teacher named Sandra Hochenedel. Blackberry was a black cat with very short legs. As she was found pregnant, her unusual body type was passed on to her kittens. Blackberry's son, Toulouse, was left un-neutered and before long, there were quite a number of short legged cats living around his owner's home. Curiously enough, Toulouse and his short legged sons had little trouble competing with standard toms for females.

In 1990 a study of the genetics of these short legged cats was conducted. The study found that only a single copy of the short legged gene was required to produce more cats with the same characteristic. The spines of these cats were also examined because there were fears that they would have issues like the low, long bodies some dogs (e.g. dachshund) have. Though no problems were found at that time, judgment was reserved due to the extremely small population that existed at that time.

Munchkins were given their name for the little people in Wizard of Oz that Dorothy encountered when she first arrived in Oz. Breeders became interested in the offbeat little Munchkin and began controlled breeding programs. The Munchkin was first introduced to the world at the Madison Square Garden Cat Show. The breed has since faced some resistance. There are those who believe that purposely breeding for a mutation, even one that came about naturally, is ethically wrong. The cats themselves seem unaware that they are different in any way from their long legged cousins. They are self-assured, outgoing and curious by nature. Munchkins tend to be people-oriented and bond easily with their people. Munchkins pounce and play just like other cats. The only difference is they can't jump as high due to their short back legs.

The Sphynx

Hairless Sphynx Cat by The Pug Father

If you ever marveled what a cat would look like au naturel, look no further. The Sphynx is nearly hairless. Fatty oils secreted by the skin are usually channeled to the fur in other breeds. The Sphynx necessitates regular wiping down to remove these oils and prevent skin infections.

This breed sprang up in 1975 as a spontaneous mutation in a shorthaired litter. One hairless kitten was born in that litter. She was named Epidermis. The next year a hairless male was born. He was called Dermis. When bred to normal shorthaired cats, Epidermis produced normal kittens. When Epidermis was bred to one of her sons, three hairless kittens resulted. The hairless gene was a recessive. Both parents must carry it in order for hairlessness to be expressed.

The breed was named after the great Sphynx monument of Egypt. The Sphynx cats are devoted, loyal companions, who love attention and will purr happily if their favorite person is near them. They are very athletic and like to leap to high places or hang upside down from their climbing trees. Sphynx have strong personalities and don't like being left alone. A feline companion will help to keep a Sphynx happy and occupied while you are gone.

These very unique cats are not everyone's ideal cat. Give these very unusual cats a closer look. Their unusual appearances and lively personalities may make a great pet. These cats might be exactly what you are looking for in a new companion.

Author Resource
Written by David Peterson
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